+44 01202 733330
OUR TEAM
We’re one team with big goals – collaboration and support are always top of our agenda, with each other and with our clients.
We are always thinking outside the (gift) box – contemplating how we can improve, inspire and empower. Our standards are sky high – when it comes to our service, our communication, our products and our delivery.
We’re go-getters, doers, getting-stuck-in-ers – if our clients need something, we’ll try our absolute best to find a way to make it happen.
Our team is made up of brilliant creatives, innovative product perfectionists, dynamic business developers, and cutting-edge customer service. We thought you might like to get to know some of them a little bit better…
Gemma Levell
Full Bio
Description of job: I dedicate my time to finding new business for the company, deal with some high-end accounts and lead the sales team.
What I love about my job: The people and the products!
Super-power: Long walks
Favourite thing about Christmas: The tree and the happiness of others.
Favourite H&SS product: The washi tapes. I love them all!
Favourite Christmas movie: The Holiday
Favourite Christmas activity: Decorating the tree
Favourite Christmas food or drink: Turkey sandwiches!
Real tree or fake tree: Fake
Mince Pies – great or gross? UM, GREAT!
Christmas jumper – cool or cringy – LOVE THEM
When should your Christmas tree go up? 1st November
Leanne Smith
Full Bio
Description of job: I look after our UK Retail and Catering range accounts, as well as our trade shows both in the UK and internationally.
What I love about my job: Every day is a different due to the huge variety of customers I deal with, plus I get to talk about Christmas all year!
Super-power: Multi tasking – I’m that person that has over 30 tabs open on a screen, but can still find what I need
Favourite thing about Christmas: Spending time with my whole family, not just the other half.
Favourite H&SS product: Our new “New Year” catering cracker…have you seen it?
Favourite Christmas movie: Has to be Home Alone, I watch it every year without fail.
Favourite Christmas activity: Baking sausage rolls and Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve
Favourite Christmas food or drink: Cheese, I look after the cheeseboard for the family dinner, don’t trust anyone else with a task that important!
Real tree or fake tree: Fake
Mince Pies – great or gross? GREAT!
Christmas jumper – cool or cringy – Absolutely cool! Give me glitter, sequins, lights, music – the more the merrier
When should your Christmas tree go up? November, get rid of Halloween and Christmas begins
Victoria Self
Full Bio
Description of job: I manage the production of crackers that are made in the UK.
What I love about my job: The people and the amazing product!
Super-power: Working Mum of two amazing girls
Favourite thing about Christmas: All of it, I love everything Christmassy from the decorations to the music to the unwrapping of Christmas presents and the crackers of course.
Favourite H&SS product: UK Handmade of course, there is nothing better 😊
Favourite Christmas movie: Santa Clause the Movie, it’s tradition that we watch this Christmas Eve in our matching Christmas Pyjamas.
Favourite Christmas activity: Playing games with the family
Favourite Christmas food or drink: Christmas lunch with a glass of Malibu and Coke (my Mum makes the most amazing food)
Real tree or fake tree: Real, nothing beats the smell of a real tree
Mince Pies – great or gross? Great, in small amounts
Christmas jumper – cool or cringy – The more sparkles the better
When should your Christmas tree go up? Mid November 😉 or the sooner the better
Shelly Chafe
Full Bio
Description of job: Designing Christmas Crackers and other exciting paper-based products for prestigious customers, running the project from a creative point of view from start to finish.
What I love about my job: Working with an amazing bunch of people
Super-power: Supermum!
Favourite thing about Christmas: Family time, and seeing my little boy’s face light up when he’s opening presents
Favourite H&SS product: So hard to choose just one! Cracker-wise it would have to be Regency Champagne Glitter and game-wise Foxy Scavenger Hunt
Favourite Christmas movie: Bad Santa
Favourite Christmas activity: Baking and Christmas Crafts like making and filling our own Christmas crackers!
Favourite Christmas food or drink: Anything chocolate
Real tree or fake tree: Fake
Mince Pies – great or gross? Great, providing there is icing on top. Can you tell I have a sweet tooth yet?!
Christmas jumper – cool or cringy? Mostly cringy, but it wouldn’t be Christmas without them!
When should your Christmas tree go up? December!
Kate Mills
Full Bio
What I love about my job: How creative you can be designing crackers, and how each project can be totally different. As well as the pride you feel when you see the products we’ve made in store, online or in a restaurant.
Super-power: A very good multitasker.
Favourite thing about Christmas: I love the build up to Christmas, seeing Christmas lights, putting the decorations up and Christmas shopping with my Dad.
Favourite H&SS product: I’m actually going to pick a whole range as my favourite, I just love the entire new Foxy range, with the rebrand everything is cohesive and the games are a real hit with my niece and nephew.
Favourite Christmas movie: Ohh it’s close between The Holiday and Love Actually, two classics!
Favourite Christmas activity: Me and my family’s Christmas eve tradition is to go bowling followed by a Burger King. We have been doing this now for 28 years. Our friends all join us too.
Favourite Christmas food or drink: Cheeky Bratwurst at a Christmas market and mulled wine at home with a big slice of fresh orange in it.
Real tree or fake tree: We have a fake tree but would prefer a real one.
Mince Pies – great or gross? Hmm I’ll eat the pastry but leave the filling.
Christmas jumper – cool or cringy? Cringy but I think that’s the whole point!
When should your Christmas tree go up? Whenever you feel like it! If it’s before December that’s fine with me. I have to wait until my partner is out so I can sneak it up before he gets back.
Ewelina Magaczewska
Full Bio
Description of job: Overseeing compliance to ensure we meet all regulations while maintaining the quality of our outstanding products
What I love about my job: Lovely people I work with and beautiful product we make. It’s super satisfying to produce something that bring so much joy
Super-power: I travel the world solo
Favourite thing about Christmas: Quality time with loved ones
Favourite HSS product: Any UK Handmade Crackers
Favourite Christmas movie: A Christmas Carol
Favourite Christmas activity: Ice skating
Favourite Christmas food or drink : Polish traditional dumplings with sauerkraut and wild mushrooms made by my mum
Real or fake tree? Ohhhh Real! Always
Mince pies – great or gross? I don’t mind them, but they are not my favourite
Christmas Jumper – cool or cringe? Cool
When should the Christmas tree go up? Beginning of December
Aga Szyszka
Full Bio
Description of job: I’m the person who ensures that things get where they’re supposed to go—on time, intact, and without anyone losing their minds (which might be the most important part). Basically, I’m like the air traffic controller of the logistics world, minus the cool headset.
What I love about my job: The sense of accomplishment when everything comes together perfectly—despite tight deadlines or unexpected challenges—is incredibly rewarding. In logistics, perfection is a rare achievement, which makes those moments even more special. Plus, working with a team that values collaboration is the cherry on top!
I especially enjoy the moments when we see the results of all our dedication and hard work.
Super-power: Staying calm under pressure. When things get hectic, I excel at breaking problems into manageable steps and finding solutions quickly. In my personal life, my ability to stretch time is legendary. When others say, “There’s just no time,” I’m already halfway through the task, proving that with a little planning (and maybe some magic), anything is possible.
Favourite thing about Christmas: Taking the time to slow down and enjoy moments with family, lots of delicious food, board games , and photography.
Favourite H&SS product: Autumn Lino Cones—classic pinecones.
Favourite Christmas movie: Home Alone—a perfect mix of laughs and nostalgia. It’s a must-have in every Polish house at Christmas. No Kevin, no Christmas!
Favourite Christmas activity: Making gingerbread cookies with family and friends and decorating the tree together are some of the best ways to create memories and embrace the festive spirit.
Favourite Christmas food or drink: Cheesecake with meringue foam on top!
Real or fake tree? Real tree! Nothing beats the smell of fresh pine filling the house.
Mince pies – great or gross? Great, but not for me
Christmas jumper – cool or cringe? Cool
When should your Christmas tree go up? In my childhood home, it went up on the morning of December 24th. But in my house, for my kids, we put it up on the first weekend of December—it sets the festive tone for the whole month!
Yazia Perez
Full Bio
Description of job: Logistics Administrator is responsible for helping to keep everything running smoothly when it comes to delivering goods. This role involves managing inventory, coordinating shipments, and making sure orders are delivered on time and without any hiccups.
What I love about my job: When everything runs smoothly and without any issues.
Super-power: The ability to keep trying.
Favourite thing about Christmas: The lights. They bring such a joyful and festive spirit!
Favourite Christmas activity: Ice Skating
Favourite Christmas food or drink: Mulled wine with ginger.
When should your Christmas tree go up? Definitely before 1/12, at least one week before the big day!
Caroline Walker
Full Bio
Description of job: I am responsible for looking after all things people alongside managing the finance function.
What I love about my job: The teamwork! We have such a wonderful mix of people who are passionate about what they do and who support each other.
Super-power: Attention to detail
Favourite thing about Christmas: Enjoying time with family – and opening the presents!
Favourite H&SS product: All of our bespoke products. It is wonderful to see all of the beautiful designs we create for our customers around the world.
Favourite Christmas movie: The Grinch.
Favourite Christmas activity: Wrapping presents for others – and opening presents from others! There is nothing more heart-warming than seeing someone’s joy on opening a thoughtful gift.
Favourite Christmas food or drink: Gluhwein and the Christmas cheese selections
When should your Christmas tree go up? Definitely not until December!
Work for us
People are the Heart & Soul of our business!
Our talented team is made up of brilliant creatives, innovative product perfectionists, dynamic business developers and dedicated account managers.
It’s obvious that we love Christmas, but we love any occasion from the big events to the everyday moments, that bring people together.
We are often looking for bright sparks to join our passionate team.
The Key Stuff
- Competitive Salary
- Up to 30 days holiday (including bank holidays) based on years of service
- Your birthday off (after 2 years employment)
- Health benefits scheme with Employee Assistance Programme
- Company pension
- Increasing sick pay (depending on the length of service) and medical appointment leave
The Extra Perks
- Flexible/Hybrid working
- Free parking and offices with harbour views
- Summer away day
- Family days organised at local national park
- Our company Christmas party
- Cracker making workshops for friends and family
Current Vacancies
Our active roles are posted below, but if you don’t see something that matches your skill set, please feel free to reach out to careers@heartandsoul.studio
Or, fill in the form below and tell us all about you and why you would be a great fit for our team.